Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7396Murder; attempted murder · Co. Wicklow · 5 Jun 2018

Gerard Cervi on trial for murder of Robert Messett at Bray Boxing Club

On 5 June 2018 a gunman opened fire at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow, where Robert 'Bobby' Messett was found lying on the floor with a pool of blood around his head. Pete Taylor was shot in the upper left arm and chest, and Ian Britton was also named as an attempted murder victim. Gerard Cervi, from the East Wall area in Dublin 3, has been charged with the murder of Robert Messett and the attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton, and he pleaded not guilty to all three charges. His trial before the Central Criminal Court, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury, was under way on 10 October 2023, when Mr Taylor gave evidence that he was shot in mid-air as he lunged at the gunman. No verdict is reported in the sources.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
The shooting took place on 5 June 2018.
Where
The shooting took place at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow.
What happened
  • A gunman opened fire at Bray Boxing Club.
  • Robert 'Bobby' Messett was found lying on the floor with a pool of blood around his head.
  • Pete Taylor was shot in the upper left arm and chest and was taken by ambulance to St Vincent's hospital, where he underwent surgery.
  • Pete Taylor told the court he was shot in mid-air as he lunged towards the gunman.
Weapon
The gunman held a gun in both hands.
Charges
  • Gerard Cervi, from the East Wall area in Dublin 3, has been charged with murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett and pleaded not guilty.
  • Gerard Cervi has been charged with the attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton and pleaded not guilty to both.
In court
  • The trial is before the Central Criminal Court, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury.
  • On 10 October 2023 Pete Taylor gave evidence at the trial, and no verdict is reported in the sources.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA gunman opened fire at Bray Boxing Club. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatRobert Messett was found lying on the floor with a pool of blood around his head. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPete Taylor was shot in the upper left arm and chest. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPete Taylor was shot while in mid-air, lunging towards the gunman. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting took place at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting took place on 5 June 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe gunman held a gun in both hands. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGerard Cervi pleaded not guilty to murdering Robert Messett. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGerard Cervi pleaded not guilty to the attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is before the Central Criminal Court, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPete Taylor was taken by ambulance to St Vincent's hospital, where he underwent surgery. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGerard Cervi is from the East Wall area in Dublin 3. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Oct2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Coach Pete Taylor shot ‘in mid-air’ by gunman at Bray Boxing Club, court hears

    Report of the Central Criminal Court murder trial of Gerard Cervi, with evidence given by coach Pete Taylor, who was shot. The incident happened in June 2018, and the article is dated 10 October 2023.

    accused, Gerard Cervi, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Gerard Cervivictim, Robert 'Bobby' Messett, maleRobert 'Bobby' Messettvictim, Pete Taylor, malePete Taylorvictim, Ian BrittonIan Britton